Mariners agree to terms with Bloomquist

01/17/2006
Seattle Mariners executive vice president & general manager of baseball operations Bill Bavasi today announced that the Mariners have agreed to terms on a two-year contract with infielder Willie Bloomquist. The contract, which will cover the 2006-07 seasons, will be signed after Bloomquist completes a physical exam.
Now that Bloomquist has agreed to terms, Gil Meche is the Mariners' only arbitration eligible player.
"Bloomquist gives us a lot of versatility coming off the bench or from a starting role," Bavasi said. "He helps us in a variety of roles, including the ability to steal a base and play almost any position on the field."
Last season, Bloomquist was named Mariners Unsung Hero by the Seattle chapter of the BBWAA after setting career highs in doubles (15), RBIs (22) and stolen bases (14). He recorded a career-high 12-game hit streak, hitting .395 (17x34) from July 3-23. Bloomquist also became just the 19th Mariner to tie the franchise record with three doubles in a game on July 6 at Kansas City. His season ended early after being placed on the 15-day disabled list Aug. 30 with a strained left hamstring.
Bloomquist made his Major League debut as a pinch-runner on Sept. 1 vs. the Kansas City Royals. In his big league career, all with Seattle, Bloomquist is hitting .261 (174x666) with 95 runs scored, 36 doubles, 4 triples, 3 home runs and 36 RBIs in 276 games. He was the Mariners' third-round selection in the 1999 June draft.


Source: http://seattle.mariners.mlb.com/